Watch Lemon’s response around thirty seconds in. It looks like someone gently pokes him with a stun gun.

Can we go back to that moment again? But this time, producers, let’s slow-mo it.

Joy! In that instant, you learn a couple of valuable things:

-Lemon is adorable when he’s miffed

-It’s always hilarious when a reporter’s assumptions aren’t met. Blinded by ObamaLove, Lemon overlooks the fact that Bush is pretty much a hero in Africa – ending brutal wars, giving tons of humanitarian aid, and most important saving millions of lives fighting AIDS and malaria (a disease brought to you not just by mosquitoes, but by your average environmentalist and his misguided hatred toward DDT).

-In sum, when it comes to Africa, Obama has some pretty big shoes to fill. How disturbing it must be for Lemon, that they belong to Bush.

Tonight, the delightful John Gibson, the hilarious Frangela, and the delectable Anna Gilligan. And finally, our softball game. It’s worth the wait.

This calls to mind The Simpsons‘ Mr. Burns, who shouts “Release the hounds!” whenever he tires of visitors. Gates’ version is somewhat more subtle, but perhaps as effective — especially to mosquito-phobic people like myself.   (I wonder if anybody sued?  Talk about deep pockets!)

What is it about the fabulously wealthy and famous that drives them to sic wild animals on people?  I suppose if I were in their shoes, I’d do the same.  Nothing clears out tedious party guests who overstay their welcome faster than a pack of ravenous Rottweilers.

It got me to thinking, this could start a whole new trend of celebrities releasing dangerous things at press conferences.  Imagine the possibilities:

Madonna, unleashing a horde of starving orphans desperate for adoptive parents.

Sean Penn, releasing a pack of howling Latin American dictators.

Christian Bale, hurling scores of razor-edged Batarangs (at a cinematographers’ conference, of course).

Wanda Sykes, letting loose with an unholy trifecta of black feminist lesbian jokes.

Sheryl Crow, wafting single used sheets of recycled toilet paper.

Ed Begley, Jr., winding up a garage full of tiny electric-powered clown cars.

George Clooney, unleashing the full force of his self-regard.

Rosie O’Donnell, releasing the “unrated” version of her variety show.